Block Leave- River Weekend Edition 1.

Bright and early Saturday morning around 3am we started our road trip journey home to the great state of Texas. Our plan was to drive straight through and stop about half way for breakfast / brunch. We where headed straight to the River House to spend the weekend with my Brother and his Girl friend Becca. He didn't know we where coming but Becca did. I couldn't wait to surprise him, spend the next few days together. We where making really good time so Becca asked if we wanted to meet them at the boat ramp and go out on the boat for a late afternoon ride. Ummm, Yes Please!!!! We got to the boat ramp right at 4pm, right when we told her we would be there. They however where at the Island which was a good boat ride away from where we where. It took a good bit of convincing from Becca to get Justin to drive all the way back to the boat ramp. Typically once he gets there he's not coming all the way back till he's ready to leave. Thankfully he gave in and came back, not really knowing why she was so determined to go. Waiting on the shore line near the ramp, as I saw the boat pull up I started getting tears in my eyes. My brother and I are so close and it had been almost two years since we'd seen each other. As he was pulling up he just kept saying "I knew it, I knew it". He knew someone was coming to visit him but didn't know who, he claims to have known it was us coming but I really don't think he knew. Getting on the boat he gave me the biggest, longest hug ever. I didn't think he was ever going to let go. I was so excited to be back on the water with him. It was also the first time that the Hubbs had been out on our boat. Finally after almost 9 years of being together he was getting to experience something that I love so much.

 We took a cruise up to the island and said hello to a few people before heading back. I took over driving and didn't wanna go in, but we where all so hungry, tired and had, had a long day.

We spent the evening relaxing on the patio over dinner and drinks catching up with a couple friends. It wasn't to long after that we called it a night and headed to bed.

Up early the next morning to work out and get a run in around the hill before breakfast and heading out on the water. Bubby's girlfriend B works at City Grill in downtown Ft. Worth and let me tell you this girl can cook up a mighty fine meal. She made a fabulous breakfast for us all before we left. I love cooking and baking its one of the things I really enjoy doing but its also nice to have someone else take over everyone in a while.

Our dad came up to the River House and went out on the boat with us, which was a nice surprise. I loved getting to spend the day with him on the boat. Between Justin, Dad and Myself we took turns skiing up to the Island where we hung out for the day. Since it was Sunday there wasn't to many boats out which made it nice. Dad and Justin Barefooted and I Slalom skied several times. The hubbs has only seen pictures of me skiing but never in person. I was so excited for him to finally see me Slalom. I also decided to Barefoot on the boom, I've never done short line or behind the boat when it comes to bare footing. I have absolutely no desire to but the fact that I can do it hanging on the boom is pretty awesome. I planted my feet the first run and road for a good long ways. I was so stoked, it had been almost two years since I'd skied.

We did a little recreation attempt at the island. 

That evening we relaxed, hung out at the house, had a fabulous dinner and cuddled on the couch watching a movie. It was a long day and we where all completely exhausted. Monday morning up early again to workout, then I decided to take Rebecca's bike around the hill instead of going on a run to see how I liked it. (we've been talking about getting bikes for a couple months now) Half way around I ran (road) into the hubbs who was on the moped with one of the three dogs they have following along side him. He said he was coming to find me to see how I was doing. Really I think he just wanted a excuse to ride it again.

Rebecca made us another yummy breakfast before we packed up the car to head into town to have lunch with our mom, followed by a evening at the Rangers game. It was a great two days at the River, I was so glad that we changed our plans up a little and went there first instead of into town. It was a much needed break from the craziness of life and a great way to kick off our vacation. 

He's Home!!!!!!!!

The morning was going to start EARLY. I set like 5 alarms on my phone so I wouldn't miss it and over sleep. My hair was already done, since Barbie my co-worker did it the day before at work. It was in a beautiful side swiped french braid with a twist across the top. I made sure every last detail of my house cleaning / getting ready preparations where done the night before. I wanted to go to bed stress, care free and not have to rush around in the morning to do last minute things. I seriously contemplated even going to sleep the night before since 1) I had to be up so early and 2) I didn't wanna mess her hair. But around 10pm I had everything done and was just randomly surfing the web. I knew at that point that if I didn't go to bed I'd be exhausted the next day, not to mention it would make time go by even slower. So off to bed I went. 

I fell asleep, and woke up. It was only 12am. Back to sleep I went, waking up checking my phone and the flight schedule online and it was only 1:45am. Back to sleep, waking up again shortly later and it was only 2:30. Aaaahhhhh time was creeping, I knew it would but seriously. Finally 2:45am rolled around and my alarm went off. I laid there scrolling through FB and checking the flight schedule again. No changes, yay!!! I slowly got up, made the bed, had a little something to eat, surfed the web a bit before finally going up stairs to get ready. 3:45 dress on, make-up done, made a breakfast banana wrap and headed out the door. I was meeting Brittany my director / boss at 4am right down the street from my house so she could follow me on post. She so kindly offered / agreed to take pictures for us. She has an amazing talent / eye for photography which she does on the side. 

We arrived on post at the Hanger right around 4:30am, it's recommended you get there 2 hours early. I didn't wanna take any chances so 2 hrs early we where. Thankfully since their arrival was so early and it was a smaller group (150-ish) we where able to park there at the Hanger vs. at their Company area and having to be bused over. 

Walking in there wasn't to many people there yet, a good amount but not over whelming. We found great seats in the bleachers,  floor level front and center for our up coming 2 hour wait. I have to say it went by pretty quickly. We went out to the air field a time of two, to check it out and get some air. Finally at 5:50am we decided we'd go wait outside till the plane came in. This way we would be able to secure a spot in the front. Not to mention it was so much nicer outside temperature wise then it was inside. 

(quick back story, at Ft. C. Homecomings you are able to see the plane come in and land right there at the airfield and watch the Soldiers walk off the plane into formation to enter the hanger.) 

Their flight was suppose to come in at 6:35am, well 6:35 came and went....6:50, 6:55, 7:00 came and went. Finally around 7:05 their flight was spotted coming in and the excitement grew from the crowd. It landed just behind another hanger where we couldn't see it and a few moments after it came pulling through following behind a truck. That's when it finally really hit me hard and it really clicked that "HEY MY HUSBAND IS ON THAT PLANE" and I'm going to have my arms around him in the next few minutes. It did a little zig zag coming closer and closer before finally stopping, the door opening as the Color Guard approached the plane. That's when Soldiers started coming off and the crowd went crazy. I was eye balling each one of them looking for mine, one after another they walked by and no husband. After a while you saw the last of the line come off the plane. They where still a little way's out (walking distance) so I couldn't see the last set of them clearly and just as my heart started to race with worry, THERE HE WAS!!!!! A sign of relief settled in me as I was able to breath again. Brittany snapped a couple pictures and then we booked it back inside to get our seats before the ceremony started. (They assured us they would allow everyone time to get in and seated before starting the ceremony.) 

The hanger doors opened and the crowd went crazy as the Soldiers marched in. My eyes searching like crazy to find him again. Back left side I pointed out to Brittany, I couldn't take my eyes off him the whole time. The ceremony was short, brief and to the point before they where released. He was looking the opposite direction as I came running up behind him. Wrapping my arms around him and seeing his face was the best!!! It was over, finally he was home and out of harms way. In that moment every thing and everyone slipped away. It was as if we where the only ones there in the hanger. Soaking it all up!!!! We had about 15-20 minutes together lots of hugs, kisses, laughs and small talk was exchanged. 

After that short time had passed the guys had to form back up in formation to go check in their weapons, get their bags and have a short safety brief before being released for the day. Brittany stuck around to take some more pictures afterwards of just the two of us outside the Hanger. She was / is seriously such a doll and I am so grateful she agreed to come be apart of this moment in our life. Their briefing seemed to take forever, really it actually did take forever. Thankfully he knew I wanted to get a few more pictures before we left and he was totally ok with it that once he was released he came out and we where able to get right to it. After snapping a few pictures, he grabbed his bag and we where on our way to the car. He was all mine for the rest of the day. (unlike in Hawaii, he had to report to work the next day and the following 7-10 days straight for re-intergration SRP) A quick stop at the company area so he could say hello to a couple of the guys he works with that came home 4 months earlier then him. 

Finally we where headed home, life was back to normal again. Well with a few changes from each of us but normal. We completed our 3rd deployment, in just shy of 8 years of marriage. We've been through more than most normal civilian couples will ever go through in a life time. Each time its only made us stronger and brought us closer together as a couple. 

I'll leave you with this picture I posted on FB and Instagram announcing to everyone that he was home. We didn't tell anyone ahead of time, there was literally 4 people that knew when he was coming home. Keeping it a surprise and my lips sealed made it that much more special for me and was totally worth it. Once I have all the pictures back from Brittany I will be sure to flood this here Blog, FB and Instagram. So be on the look out for those!!!! 

Blog Post Coming Soon: Match Making Husband. 

7 Year Anniversary Pictures!!!

 I'm absolutely head over heels in love with our 7 Year Anniversary pictures. I was introduced to an amazing local photographer. By far hands down one of the best photographers I've ever worked with. I can't wait to use her again when the hubbs comes home next year. I am so in love with this man and its crazy to look back and think that we were married just over 7 years ago and that we've been together for 8 years. We're more in love today then we were back then and I can't wait to see were the next 7+ years takes us. Not to mention the fact that he's relaxed so much with having to put up with my yearly photo request. We've come a long way in that department lol. He hates more than anything having his picture taken, but he know's it's important to me. He's my world and I'm completely smitten with this life we're going through together. I narrowed it down the best I could, but I simply couldn't help myself. The cow's photo bombing are one of my favorite parts, they were every were on the pasture. J's family owns the land and she does an incredible job. Walking out of the house the morning of our photoshoot, I quickly snagged our Monogram canvas off the wall that my wonderful friend made for us, I knew I had to incorporate it in. I think it worked out perfect!!! 

Hope you enjoy them almost as much as I do!! 

Pure Bliss!!!

Celebrating…...

7 years of pure joy being together and 6 years of "I Do's" together and Many Many more to come!!! 

I couldn't have asked for a better man to spend my life with, he's my everything and so much more. 

5 Years Ago.....

......I married my best friend. Little did I know we would have gone through everything we have gone through in the past five years. I wouldn't trade if for the world though, its only gotten us were we are today. It's made us stronger and more in appreciative of each other than I ever though it would.  We've been lucky enough to have only missed out on being together for one of our anniversaries over the past 5 years, which in the military life that's rare. I know that there will be plenty more in the years to come were we wont be together but until then I'm counting my blessings. 

This year I was at a loss on what to get the hubbs for his anniversary gift. 9 times out of 10 whenever either of us want something we go out and get it ourselves. This is all fine and dandy until a day like today comes along and I'm clue less as to what to get him. I've asked and asked over and over and still come up empty handed. He ended up ordering 5 magazines for his Glock's but I still wanted to get him something that he didn't know about. That's when I decided to go with a hat press, I've been at him to get one forever but he just wouldn't give in. He said he didn't need one and was just fine using the glass cups that he'd been using. Me however not so much a fan, one it looked tacking on the desk in our kitchen and two I didn't like the messy look it left when he was at work and the glasses were just left there on the desk. The glasses left rings around the brim of the hat, he said if was character. Lame. There's a place on post called the Fire House, they do a lot of custom work for the battalions and Soldiers here on Ft. Jackson. I went in to talk to them about what I wanted and placed my order. 

I picked it up yesterday, the day before our anniversary and was more than pleased with it. It took everything I had not to give it to him last night but I held out. This morning while he was still getting ready I went and got it out of the car and put it together with his Drill SGT hat in it. It looks great, I'm so happy no more glass cups on the counter. He liked it a lot and started checking it out right away. I was so glad that he liked it. Check in the box for me this year. As much as I try to figure out what I'm going to get him each year, it always ends up working out in the end. 

Last night while I was cooking dinner the hubbs brought down a large Victoria Secret bag from upstairs. I'm big on waiting to do the gift exchange until the day of, that's just me. Like I said I was in the middle of cooking dinner and wanted to get it done. In the mean time he kept at me to come and open up the bag. Finally I did & while doing so I told him he wasn't getting my gift till the next day. He said that's fine because I still have something else for you. Really talk about totally out doing himself this year, as he always does. It was a comfy pair of PJ's to help me stay warm during these crazy cold winter nights we've been having. I love them, they are so cute and just perfect. 

This morning when I was getting ready he left a small package on the kitchen counter with a card. As soon as I looked at the label on the outside of the package I knew exactly what it was. Every year since we've been married he's gotten me a necklace for our anniversary. So when he asked me what I wanted this year it only seemed fitting to reply with a necklace. What better one than a Living Locket Necklace from Origami Owl, ever since I saw them a few months ago I've been eyeing one. I showed him a few of the charms I liked and left it at that. He came through, not that I though he wouldn't I knew he would. 

The charms included are a pair of flip fops, a running shoe, a boot, a cupcake, a sea turtle, a key with a heart at the end, the number 5, the year 2012 and a yellow ribbon. Dressed and ready for our road trip to Atlanta for the day!!!

To celebrate our Anniversary this year we decided to go to the Worlds Largest Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. It only seemed fitting since we were married in a Aquarium. The Dallas World Aquarium back in Texas, its a beautiful place and our wedding was perfect. I wouldn't of changed a thing. (I might be a little biased though lol). We had heard that the Atlanta Aquarium was comparable to the DWA so we figured it had to be good. We made the 3 & 1/2 hour drive early this morning and got there just after they opened. 

The Atlanta Aquarium wasn't anything like the DWA, they are so different in many ways. I honestly think they consider it the worlds largest aquarium simply because of the size of the building. We weren't disappointed but we didn't love it. We can say we've been but I really don't think we will ever go back. It was neat and I'm so glad we decided to celebrate our anniversary by going. We had a great time and best part is we were able to spend the day together. 

 The Belugas ~ I could of stayed here for hours and watched them swim around they are beautiful creatures. 

Some random fishies we saw through out our day. 

Penguins are so stinkin cute!!! In one of the large aquariums they had some of the biggest sting rays that I've ever seen. 

Jelly Fish!!!! 

 Another wall to wall and over the ceiling aquarium with hundreds of different fish. These are my favorite to look at. 

We had a lot of fun, there was even a live dolphin show we were able to go to. Sadly we weren't aloud to take pictures or video during it. Bummer. That probably was my favorite part of the Aquarium, I'd never seen anything like it before. Its amazing how people can train Dolphins to do the things they were doing. 

After we were done at the Aquarium we made our way over to the The World of Coca Cola Museum . It just so happened to be right next to the Aquarium and was free for Military so we couldn't pass that up. It was filled with loads of history and fun facts. I gave up drinking soda over two years ago but before that I was never a big Coke fan. But the museum was neat in its self. 

I love this guy so much, he does so much for me and I love it!!! 

 Some old vintage posters in the museum. 

This is the vault were the secret recipe of Coca-Cola is held. 

At the end of our tour we were able to take a bottle of Coke that was made right there in the factory. The gift shop at the museum was so big there was a ton of stuff. if I was a Coke fan I would have def. been in trouble, good thing I'm not lol.

We headed out to dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory before making the drive home. We talked about trying something local or different but when we saw they had a CCF we had to go. We don't have one in Columbia, the closest one is about a hour & half away. We're big fans if you can't tell. All in all it was a great day, we both were able to get off from work and spend it together. I still can't believe its been 5 years since we said our "I do's", sometimes it seems like forever ago but then other days it seems  like it was just last month. I can't wait to see what the next 5 years has in store for us or even the next 10, 20, 30 plus years. But as long as we are together I'll be happy as ever!!! It's by far been the best 5 years of my life and I know that the hubbs would say the same thing, 

Happy 5 Year Wedding Anniversary Baby!!!! I love you!!!!

This was us 5 years ago on our wedding day. :)